PACO NEWS
With guidance from our Governor, state public health officials and the CDC, many live PACO events will be offered online, postponed or cancelled. These decisions have been made due to increasing concerns about COVID19 and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of PACO members, sustaining members, sponsors and guests at PACO events.
PACO - Virtual Mixer for New Members - Register today!
Welcome to the Paralegal Association of Central Ohio! PACO is rolling out 'New Member Virtual Mixers' which are designed for new members, any members who joined PACO in the past 12 months, and longtime members who would like to network with our new members! The 'New Member Virtual Mixers' will be scheduled on the first Monday of every month from Noon-12:45 p.m., be sure to join in!
During the event you will have an opportunity to learn more about PACO, meet PACO's President and Vice President/Coordinator of Membership, and other Executive Board members. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions, as well as network with one another while learning more about PACO's website and where to find resources.
Be sure to register now by going to PACO's Calendar of Events. You will receive zoom meeting credentials prior to the day of the event.
You must be a member of PACO to register for this event. Not a member? Join Now, click here.
PACO - Press Release Announcement - PACO Paralegal Appointment to the Board of Unauthorized Practice of Law for the Ohio Supreme Court!
The Paralegal Association of Central Ohio (“PACO”) Congratulates PACO Leader Mindi Schaefer on her Appointment to the Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law for the Supreme Court of Ohio!
PACO is proud to announce Mindi Schaefer was recently appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio as a member of the Board to serve a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023.
According to the Supreme Court of Ohio’s website, “The Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law of the Supreme Court of Ohio is established by Rule VII of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio and consists of 13 members who are appointed to a three-year term by the Supreme Court. The Board conducts hearings, preserves the record, and makes findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court in cases involving the alleged unauthorized practice of law.”
Mindi Schaefer has twenty-two years of litigation paralegal experience including extensive trial preparation experience. She is the Administrative & Paralegal Support Director at Poling, a defense law firm, in Columbus, Ohio.
Mindi received her Associate degree in legal assisting from Sinclair Community College, Bachelor’s degree in political science from Wright State University, and Master’s degree in communication and marketing from Franklin University. Additionally, Mindi is a PACE Registered Paralegal with NFPA, an OSBA Certified Paralegal, and an American Alliance Certified Paralegal. She is also the Public Relations Representative, Public Relations Committee Co-Chair, and Social Media and Website Subcommittee Coordinator for PACO.
Congratulations Mindi!
OPEC Refresher Course - April 10, 2021 - Register today at Capital University Law School!
The Paralegal Programs at Capital University Law School host an annual Refresher Course for individuals taking the OSBA Paralegal Certification Exam. The date for the 2021 Refresher Course is Saturday, April 10, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. The Refresher Course will be held via Zoom. We will email the Zoom conference information and the materials to registrants at least one week prior to the course.
The Refresher Course will provide sessions for all core content topics covered in the certification exam.
PLEASE NOTE: The Refresher Course, its instructors, and the Paralegal Programs at Capital have no connection with the OSBA Paralegal Certification Exam or the examination process. The sessions provide only an overview of the core content topics as a refresher for those sitting for the certification exam.
More information about the exam and requirements for paralegal certification is available from the Ohio State Bar Association.
The cost of the 2021 Refresher Course is $75, which includes (1) attendance at all core content sessions and (2) core content course materials. The deadline to register is noon on Friday, April 2, 2021. We must have a minimum of 7 registrations by the deadline to go forward with the course.
To register for the 2021 Refresher Course, please complete the form at http://law.capital.edu/OPEC_Refresher_Course/.
The $75 fee is due at the time of registration or within 5 days of the 2021 Refresher Course. If we cancel the course, you will receive a refund of the registration fee.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa M. Diem at ldiem@law.capital.edu or (614) 236-6444.
The 2021 Refresher Course is optional, and the OSBA does not require that you attend this or any other review course for paralegal certification. Attending the 2021 Refresher Course is not a guarantee of your success on the examination.
PACO - Paralegal Day – Service Award Recognition and Awards of Excellence
Due to the ongoing concerns with COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of PACO members, sustaining members, sponsors and guests at PACO events the 2021 Paralegal Day celebration has been moved to 2022. PACO does plan to virtually acknowledge our Service Award Recipients and Awards of Excellence Recipients in May 2021.
Service Award Recognition – FOR 2020 AND 2021
For PACO paralegal members celebrating their 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th or 25th plus year of service to the paralegal profession in the calendar years of 2020 and 2021, please email your current Resume reflecting all paralegal employment along with your anniversary year being celebrated (5th, 10th, etc.) to Public Relations Chair, Mindi Schaefer, at pr@pacoparalegals.org. Submission deadline is 4/15/21.
Awards of Excellence
PACO annual awards are to recognize excellence in an individual Paralegal who demonstrates to the community their strengths and commitment in the profession and to PACO. This year PACO will also recognize an award of excellence for a Sustaining Member of the Year and a Law Firm/Legal Department of the Year. Be sure to submit your ballot to president@pacoparalegals.org by 4/15/21. Download the ballot - > HERE.
The awards will be announced via PACO News, social media and email to the Award Recipients directly on May 17, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Public Relations Chair, Mindi Schaefer, at pr@pacoparalegals.org.
Save the Date for PACO’s 2022 Paralegal Day Celebration on May 16, 2022!
PACO - Program Committee - Thanks Damon Hacker!
PACO Program's Committee would that to THANK Damon Hacker, President & CEO and a founder of Vestige Digital Investigations for his presentation on February 25, 2021 regarding Law Firm CyberSecurity - A Process Not a Project! It was a fantastic presentation!
PACO - Public Relations Committee - Crushing Your Career Virtual Happy Hour - March 11, 2021 - Register today!
PACO is excited to invite you to join the Public Relations Committee on Thursday March 11, 2021 for our third virtual Crushing Your Career Happy Hour! The February event was so successful we have invited Valerie Owens back from Robert Half Legal.
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Time: 6:30-7:30 p. m
Place: Zoom Meeting (link to be provided)
Registration: Wild Apricot (calendar, select the date to register)
Topic: Current State of Resumes in an Ever Changing Environment - Part II
Guest Speaker: Valerie Owens, Robert Half Legal
PACO welcomes special guest, Valerie Owens of Robert Half Legal, to join us and discuss the Current State of Resumes in an Ever Changing Environment-Part II. If you are looking to change practice areas or for a new opportunity, this is a great place to kick it off! Everyone can use a refresher especially in the COVID era! Valerie will be answering questions and giving a general idea of what employers have been looking for in potential candidates.
Please come prepared with your favorite adult beverage, a current copy of your resume and your questions on March 11th!
PACO - March 16, 2021 - General Membership Meeting - Register today!
PACO Program's Committee has been busy coordinating General Membership Meetings which are held monthly via Zoom during COVID-19, from 12 Noon- 1:00 p.m. It's a new year and we are excited to welcome Jocelyn Armstrong, Esq. from the Ohio State Bar Association to speak with us about Inclusion & Diversity!
Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Time: 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Place: Zoom Meeting (link to be provided)
Registration: Wild Apricot (calendar, select the date to register)
Topic: Inclusion & Diversity
Speaker: Jocelyn Armstrong, Esq., Director of Inclusion and Outreach with the Ohio State Bar Association
CLE NFPA Credit: .75 Hours General Credit
Jocelyn M. Armstrong, Esq. is the Director of Inclusion and Outreach at the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA). She leads programming and integration of inclusion and diversity in association culture. Additionally, she oversees outreach to new lawyers and law students as well as OSBA member committees and sections.
Jocelyn is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and broader community. Prior to joining the OSBA, Jocelyn worked as district director for Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District. She was also the Assistant Executive Director and Diversity Coordinator at the Columbus Bar Association. As a volunteer leader, Jocelyn was a member of the African American Law Alumni at Capital University Law School and served as President of the John Mercer Langston Bar Association (2015).
Jocelyn, admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2009, is a native of Toledo, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and a juris doctor from Capital University Law School.
While at Capital, Jocelyn received the Dean’s Scholarship, Class of 2006 Scholarship, and the Dean’s Public Service Award. Jocelyn remains active in the Capital community as a member of the Law Alumni Association Board and is a frequent panelist for prospective and new students. In 2016, Jocelyn received the Alumni Outstanding Service Award.
Jocelyn also serves as a board member of Beautifully Flawed, a nonprofit devoted to the holistic healing and growth of girls. She also serves on the board of Bridgeway Academy. Jocelyn is active in her church community including serving as a former member of the New Salem Baptist Church Trustee Board. When she’s not in meetings, Jocelyn enjoys yoga, reading, and traveling.
PACO - March 25, 2021 - Legal Insights - Register today!
PACO Program's Committee has been busy coordinating Legal Insights which are held on the last Thursday of each month via Zoom during COVID-19. We are excited to welcome Paul Unger, Esq. back to speak with us about Task Management!
Date: Thursday, March 25, 2021
Time: 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Place: Zoom Meeting (link to be provided)
Registration: Wild Apricot (calendar, select the date to register)
Topic: Task Management
Speaker: Paul Unger, Esq.
Paul J. Unger, Esq. is a nationally recognized speaker, author, attorney, and thought-leader in the legal technology industry. He is a founding principal of Affinity Consulting Group, a nationwide consulting company providing continuing legal education, and management & technology consulting. He served as Chair of the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center, Chair of the ABA TECHSHOW, and served on the Executive Committee for ACLEA from 2017-2019.
PACO - April 13, 2021 - General Membership Meeting - Register today!
PACO Program's Committee has been busy coordinating General Membership Meetings which are held monthly via Zoom during COVID-19, from 12 Noon- 1:00 p.m. It's a new year and we are excited to welcome Rocky VanBrimmer from RVB Services-Ohio Process Server to speak with us about Civil Process Serving!
Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Time: 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Place: Zoom Meeting (link to be provided)
Registration: Wild Apricot (calendar, select the date to register)
Topic: Civil Process Serving
Speaker: Rocky VanBrimmer of RVB Services
CLE NFPA Credit: .75 Hours General Credit